Baxter bullish about Hawks’ chances of taking that elusive title
THINGS were different this time last year.
Inverleigh was charging towards a drought-breaking premiership, with daylight between the Hawks and the next-best contender before faltering.
Fast forward 12 months and again we have an overwhelming flag favourite.
Only this time, Inverleigh is in the chasing pack, with reigning premier Thomson seemingly streets ahead.
The irony is not lost on star Hawk Justin Baxter.
“It’s exactly the same as last year, only the shoe is on the other foot,” Baxter said. “We’re hoping that history repeats itself in terms of the top team going through the season undefeated and breezes through the finals.
“We’re in a different position. We haven’t been in this position for a while, but it’s just good that we’ve possibly got ourselves in that top-three position now.
“We’ve got a big month coming up, but if we can keep banking these wins we’ll set ourselves up.”
The Hawks were below their best against a spirited Geelong West Giants last round and Baxter concedes his side is yet to hit its straps.
“It’s a bit of a change from the past,” Baxter said.
“We’re not beating sides convincingly, we’re winning ugly. It’s still good to earn the points at the end of the day, but there’s a lot to work on … we’re still a bit off it.
“I don’t want it to become a regular thing because these middle-ranked sides who are pushing for finals, we really need to be winning convincingly, rather than just scraping over the line.”
Baxter attributed much of Saturday’s struggle to the pressure and intensity of the Giants, who had the game on their terms for long periods.
“They were fighting for their season and you could tell,” Baxter said.
“It was hot early and we knew they were going to come out hard. They made us play the way we don’t want to play — that go, go, go type of footy — and we wanted to hold the ball up, particularly out of the back half.
“They made us rush and it showed with our disposal.”
Despite recent struggles, the Hawks enter Round 13 at 10-2 and in good shape for a tilt at the premiership.
“There’s definitely a belief there,” Baxter said.
“Everyone’s beatable, but playing Thomson, they provided us with a blueprint with the way they control the ball.
“They score well and they kick straight and they’ve got really good heads all over the ground. We analysed that game heavily and they showed us the level that you need to be at to be the best.”